by Julie Kenner
“Say that again,” he murmured.
“No,” she said. “Not until you come inside.”
He reached for the door, then thought better of it. “I’m going to stay out here.”
“Why?”
“Because if I come inside, I’m going to have to kiss you. And once I start, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to stop.”
“That sounds nice,” Hayley said, smiling at him. “Please come inside.” She walked to the door and pushed open the screen door. “Come on.” She stepped aside to let him pass. But as he did, his arm slipped around her waist and he pulled her against him.
In a heartbeat, his mouth came down on hers in a deep and soul-searching kiss. He left no doubt about his feelings. In a single instant, Hayley knew he was glad she’d returned. She ran her hands over his shoulders and arms, enjoying the feel of his body. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed touching him.
Teague scooped her up in his arms and walked into the parlor. She grabbed his hat and tossed it aside, taking in the details of his handsome face as they continued kissing. He sat down in the leather chair, settling her on his lap, molding her mouth to his until she felt as if she might pass out.
Hayley smiled as she teased him with tiny kisses, first on his mouth, then his jaw and finally on his neck. “So you’re happy to have me home.”
“That depends on how long you’re planning to stay.”
“I was thinking maybe the rest of my life.” She looked up at him.
He drew back, then held her face between his hands. “What does that mean?”
“Exactly what I said. This is my home now. I’m going to come and go from Wallaroo. I’ll have to return to Sydney to finish up my contract on Castle Cove. Then I’ll sell my place and move everything up here.”
A grin broke over his face. “You’re going to live here with me,” he said, as if to reassure himself that he’d heard her right.
“Yes. It’s my house, too.”
“What about your career?”
“Well, if something interesting comes along, then we’ll discuss it. We may need money for buying stock. Or for fixing up the station. I’m not going to make any plans right now, except to spend the next week with you. Then I have to go back.”
“We have a week? What will we do with ourselves?” He cupped her breast.
“You’ll have to work and I’m sure I’ll find something to do around here.” She chuckled.
“About that. Work, I mean. I spoke with Doc Daley and we’ve made a few changes in our plans. I’m not going to take over his practice, at least not all of it. I’m going to do the equine cases only, so I can spend more time on the station. And he’s going to find someone else to take over the rest of the work. I figured, if we wanted to make a go of Wallaroo, I needed to be here as much as possible.”
“So, I guess it’s all settled then. You and I are business partners.”
“And friends,” he said.
“Lovers, too,” Hayley added.
“Roommates.”
She smiled. “Soul mates.”
“And the rest will come,” he assured her. He ran his fingers through her hair and pulled her into another kiss, lingering over her mouth. “I love you, Hayley. I always have and I always will.”
“And I love you, Teague.”
He smoothed his fingers through her hair. “You must be very tired from your trip. I can tell you’d like to lie down.”
“Oh, you can tell?” she teased. “I think you want to get me into the bedroom.”
“Actually, I want to show you the bed.” He stood and pulled her along to the upstairs, past the door to Harry’s old room, past the door to her room, to the largest of the bedrooms. Harry had used it for storage, like an attic, filling it full of old furniture and things he couldn’t bear to throw away. She’d always suspected it was the room he’d shared with her grandmother. The beautiful bedroom set was too fancy for a single man to use.
But Teague had cleaned the room out. The old bed was there, but dressed with brand-new linens. He tossed her onto it, then flopped down beside her. “Do you like it?”
“Yes.” She turned and ran her hands over the down comforter. It was exactly like the—“These are the bed linens from the resort.”
“I liked them so much that I bought some. They sell the bed linens and the soap and the shampoo right from the hotel. I bought the sheets and the down comforter. Oh, and the down pillows. And I got one of those nice showerheads, too.”
Hayley rolled over and threw her arms out. “It’s perfect. I could spend all day in this bed.”
“Is that a request or a demand? Because I’d be quite happy to keep you in this bed all day.”
She rolled over and wrapped her arms around his neck, remembering that first day at the big rock. He’d saved her life that day. Without Teague, Hayley probably wouldn’t have survived her teenage years. But he’d made every day an adventure, every moment something wonderful to be shared.
“Promise me you’ll love me forever,” she said.
“I will love you forever and beyond,” Teague said, his declaration simple and direct and honest.
“My life starts today,” Hayley said. “No more fears, no more running away. And if I ever get a little crazy again, I want you to drag me back into this bedroom and prove to me why we belong together.”
“Can I do that now?” Teague asked.
Hayley laughed, then kissed his mouth. “Yes,” she said. “And don’t stop doing it until I tell you.”
As Teague began to seduce her, Hayley closed her eyes and gave herself over to the man she loved. How something so complicated had suddenly turned so simple, she would never understand. It was like a switch had been thrown and a light turned on, illuminating all the things she knew deep in her heart yet had never acknowledged.
She was exactly where she belonged now—in Teague’s arms. And after so many years of searching, she was finally home.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-3640-4
Copyright © 2009 Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Making Waves
Copyright © 2009 by Julia Beck Kenner.
Surf’s Up
Copyright © 2009 by Karen Alarie.
Wet and Wild
Copyright © 2009 by Jill Floyd.
Hard To Resist
Copyright © 2009 by Samantha Hunter.
Make Me Yours
Copyright © 2009 by Betina Krahn.
Twin Seduction
Copyright © 2009 by Carolyn Hanlon.
The Soldier
Copyright © 2009 by Rhonda Nelson.
The Mighty Quinns: Teague
Copyright © 2009 by Peggy A. Hoffmann.
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All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.
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